I was soon thrown back into my room once they were done with their tests. This was the only time I was allowed to be uncuffed, free almost.

This was only because it was easier for them to monitor how I was doing when I was uncuffed.

Limping over to my notebook and pen, I fell down heavy onto the cold, hard and dirty mattress that was placed in the corner. I lay on my back to ease my ribs.

I began writing down all of the words that ran through my brain. All of the sentences, I found peace in doing that.

This was when I could be free, relax and be myself.

I couldn't do much, but this was enough for me.

I took a deep breath, wincing at the sharp pain it brings me and holding my left side.

The freedom was short-lived as my door opened once more and in came a new doctor. He wasted no time injecting me with something and putting my head on his shoulder as the drug worked quickly through my veins.

I felt my head grow heavy and my body become weightless. That same feeling of falling in and out of consciousness once again as more men came in to test whether or not their experiment had worked.

All of a sudden, there were alarms blaring throughout the entire building.

Bright flashing red lights lit up the room.

All the men were rushing out of the room.

Panic was radiating off of them.

The doctor injects me once more and my head slips from his shoulder, causing me to crash to the floor. "Good night, our sweet creation."

There it was again. That word. Is that truly what I was?

Then came darkness.

~3 hours earlier~

"Aphrodite!" My father yells loudly from downstairs.

I roll my eyes and push myself off my bed to sit up. "What?" I reply in a harsh tone as I stand to take a look at myself in the mirror, running my hands through my thick brunette hair and applying lipstick to my pouted lips.

"Don't you what me little lady," I hear a chuckle and look back at my door, seeing him now standing there.

I sigh heavily before responding, "Okay, what do you need, Father Dearest?" I say this in a sarcastic tone with a sweet smile before turning back to my reflection.

His footsteps approach me. "We have training to do, honey," he says, rubbing my shoulder gently.

As I turn harshly, his hand falls. "Why?" It's not like any of it ever fucking works." I hissed back at him, walking over to my bed and throwing myself on it.

"Language!" Steve calls from outside as he passes by my room. I only roll my eyes.

My father sighs and takes a seat at the edge of my bed. "We have to try, sweetheart."

I just shake my head, looking down at my phone and say, "Or you could just take my powers away. I don't want them. I never asked for them."

His soft eyes turn sad as he places a hand on my knee. "Aphrodite, you know I can't do that," he says. I throw my phone down and get up, walking to my closet, grabbing a cropped hoodie and pulling it over my head.

"Why not? It'd spare me the constant fear and anxiety," I say, sending him a slight glare.

Many believe I'm harsh on my father, and I know it's not his fault that I can't control my powers, but I can't help the frustration I have.

He knows how difficult this whole thing has been for me and he handles it extremely well. I wish I had his self-control. Instead, I get my impulsivity and impatience from my mother.

He sighs in response, "Dite." He drags out my nickname, causing me to tilt my head for him to continue, "It would kill you, and you know I can't do that. I can't lose my only daughter."

He rises from my bed and approaches me, towering over me with ease, saying, "We will work this out. I promise. It's just going to take time and patience. Can you do that? Please?" he says hopefully.

I only look down and say "fine." in a quiet whisper.

"I love you, sweetheart," he says, kissing my forehead carefully, which causes me to tense slightly. He then walks away to the training room. leaving me to follow.

I always avoided skin-to-skin physical contact whenever I could. I wasn't aware of what exactly triggered my powers, but I wanted to take all precautions possible.

The fact that my very own father couldn't show me physical affection in the way we both would have liked killed us both.

As much as it hurt, I would never forgive myself if I used my powers on him, even though I couldn't control it. It would ruin me.

Everyone I ever met couldn't touch me or hold eye contact with me for a certain amount of time; I wouldn't let them, purely because of my powers.

It's messed up, right?

I'm messed up.

~~~

"Jab, cross, right hook!" My father commands as I throw punches at the weighted bag in front of me that is lightly swinging back and forth.

"Keep your hands up." I raise my hands "again." I repeat the combination, breathing harshly throughout.

He starts to walk back and forth behind me, watching my every move. "Control your breathing," he says. I clench my fists, take a deep breath and follow out more combinations.

Punch after punch, "breathe Dite," I take a few more breaths, "keep your hands-"

"I get it!" I finally snapped.

Everyone stops "left, right, breathe, keep your hands up. I get it, Dad!" He takes a deep breath as he steps closer, going to place his hands on my shoulders. I step back quickly with a sharp breath.

He nods and meets my eyes for a moment before I look away. "I know you're frustrated, honey," he says. I scoff as he continues. "I understand; I know how much it hurts."

"You just need to keep your head up." He pauses, lightly tilting my head up to meet his eyes for another moment. "I'm not going anywhere. You have come this far; please just keep trying."

My eyes begin to water a little and I bury my head in his chest; he lightly caresses my hair. "I'm so tired, dad."

He rests his head on top of mine. "I know, sweetheart. I know." He whispers.

I wrap my arms tightly around him, gripping his shirt and he keeps his hands away from my skin. It was nice to be able to hug him, at the very least and have some sort of contact without fear.

"Avengers! Gather in the main room. Now!"

~~~

Chapter 2, are you guys all ready for Atlas and Aphrodite to meet eachother now? I hope so.